A Behind The Scenes Look With Carrie Long As The Bulldogs Prepare For the NCAA East Region Meet
May 27, 2008 | Track & Field
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Freshman pole vaulter Carrie Long has agreed to keep a journal that will be updated every day throughout the NCAA East Regional as four Gardner-Webb student-athletes at the prestigious event May 30-31. Long, who qualified by winning the Atlantic Sun Conference title, is a two-sport student-athlete will not only provide a journal with daily updates, but will also include pictures throughout the week in order to give fans an in depth look at the life of a GWU student-athlete. Check back each night for more updates.
May 29, 2008
Today was our last day of practice in Boiling Springs before regionals. After practicing all the regional qualifiers got together and ate dinner at Nakata, a Japanese steakhouse. It was fun to hang out with my teammates and Audra Harrison, who played volleyball with me this past year. We went to Walmart to look for a game to play during the nine hour drive to Tallahassee but we didn't have much success. We leave early in the morning tomorrow so we will have the chance to practice on the FSU track upon arrival. Even though the drive will be long I am too excited about the meet to care.
Here is the competition schedule pertaining to my teammates and I:
Friday
Elizabeth Maxwell: Discus 12
Carrie Long: Pole Vault 2
Jerel Langley: Javelin 7:15
Saturday
Caryn Daane: Shot Put 4
Go Bulldogs!
May 27, 2008
Today's practice went well for everybody. Caryn and Elizabeth did strength exercises, Jerel threw javelin, and I worked on speed acceleration. One thing that I am still getting used to is the heat factor. Today the temperature was in the low 90s, and in Tallahassee the temperature is projected to be at least 94 degrees. This paired with Florida's humid climate could be uncomfortable but the weather that we are currently experiencing in practice is good preparation for us. I don't think the weather will be a problem for our regional team, if anything we are prepared for bad weather. Competing in indoor track without an indoor facility has forced us to train in less than ideal circumstances.
Thanks to our athletic trainer Chan Cho we do not have to worry about not getting proper treatments. We have access to rehab and treatment from Chan, so if anything goes wrong during training or competition, Chan will take care of it. We are very blessed to have Chan as our trainer and I learned today that he will be accompanying us to the meet, which is great. There is a picture of Chan "working his magic" in the gallery.
Throughout this week while spending time with my teammates I realize how much I have enjoyed the season and my teammates so far. Here at Gardner-Webb we are truly blessed with amazing people. Even with almost all of our team gone except four people i still feel like I am part of an extremely supportive and close-knit group of people. Event though this may sound cliche, it is true; while we might not be the largest team in numbers we make up for it with our drive and spirit.
Reiterating sentiments from my previous entry, I feel confident that each of us will be properly prepared for this meet. I know that I am very excited and when the time comes for us to compete, whether it be vaulting or throwing, Gardner-Webb University will be well represented.
Go Bulldogs!
May 26, 2008
Four Bulldogs prepare to compete in the 2008 NCAA East Regional at Florida State University: Caryn Daane (shot put), Elizabeth Maxwell (discus), Jerel Langley (javelin), and I. Following a solid conference meet, the past week has been one of hard work and preparation. All four of us know that this is our chance to compete at a high level and potentially advance to nationals. As a freshman I lack the experience necessary at the collegiate level to fully understand all the unique aspects of the regional meet. In practice I have been working on getting used to a high opening height and competing with some of the best vaulters that I have ever encountered in a competitive situation. I am excited to go to the meet with supportive and experienced teammates. All of the other qualifiers are upperclassmen: Jerel and Elizabeth are seniors while Caryn is a junior.
Outside of practice the past week has been full of relaxation. With most Gardner-Webb students gone until the recent start of summer school, campus life has been virtually non-existent. One night, Caryn, Elizabeth, Jerel, and I (along with Matt Knippen and Jeremy Longshore, two senior track athletes) went out to eat and played bingo. This was a new and fun experience for us, especially Jerel and I who were competitive bingo "first timers." While most of us were relaxing around campus or at home this weekend my pole vault coach, Mary Wood, drove 10 hours home to Illinois to pick up more poles for me to use at the meet.
With great coaching, dedication and proper preparation, we are looking great going into regionals. According to Jerel his best throws are at ACC schools and in Florida so he hopes to continue this tradition. Whether continuing a successful regional tradition like Jerel or starting a completely new one like me, I know that my teammates and I are anticipating this competition with eagerness and enthusiasm.
There are two pictures attached available for you to view as well. I'll continue to add more pictures with each journal throughout the week.
Go Bulldogs!
